Almira King Holsclaw

"I can see my life like a pattern woven in with the lives of so many others. It seems, as I look at it from here, now that it is so nearly finished, that there is plenty of brightness to offset the dark, gloomy part of my weaving."

Almira King Holsclaw was born in 1842 in Jennings County, Indiana. She led what she deemed an ordinary life, but we can see now that it was truly something extraordinary. Almira was the oldest of five children - she knew loss, as she lost her only sister as an infant and her father to his carpenter work when she was just a teenager. She married young to a poor farmer boy and raised eight children. She lived to see her great-great grandchildren born, and she died in 1931 and was buried in a little cemetery near the Muscatatuck River, surrounded by her family. And Almira left us a remarkable memoir of her life. She was my great-great-great grandmother.

Almira King Holsclaw
Photo Credit: Ralph Harris


Now, for Indiana's bicentennial, my sister, artist Kristin Stout, and I are turning Almira's amazing memoir, tales of early Indiana and family and community life in the pioneer days, into a children's picture book. Almira's words will come to life in a new way, and we're excited to share them with children all across Indiana.


The Holsclaw home on Deer Creek
Photo Credit: Ralph Harris



Quilt top made by Almira
Photo Credit: Rebecca Cornette

We are in the early stages of developing a program to bring Almira's story into schools, libraries, homeschool co-ops, and museums all across the state. Children will hear Almira's story, learn about a special part of Indiana history, and acquire tools to begin their own journey into their family history. Stay tuned for a launch event some time in December, and if you are interested in booking a visit, pleases email Katie at KathrynAndrewsPotter@gmail.com. Thank you!


Almira with her grandson Hubert Holsclaw, his wife Helen & their daughter, our grandmother, Mary Holsclaw Andrews
Photo Credit: Katie Andrews Potter

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